Dallas-based Community Beer Company debuted their first packaged non-alcoholic IPA offering in May 2022. Under the brand, NADA, the IPA boasts only 25 calories and 5 grams of carbs on the can. Later that same year, Community won a Bronze medal at the Great American Beer Festival in the Non-Alcohol beer category for NADA IPA.

In addition to brewing and canning new NADA selections – a hazy IPA, a bock and a pilsner – they’ve introduced a new hop water offering. Simply named Hop’d Water, the latest beverage features a similar hop combination as NADA IPA – Mosaic, Simcoe, and Sabro Cryo Hops. Customers can purchase these products in the taproom, various retail outlets and online at nadabrews.com. Community Beer Company founder Kevin Carr provides more information about the NADA product line in our Q&A below.

How did you come to the decision that brewing and packaging NA beer was right for your business.

Kevin: Our brewmaster started experimenting with non-alcoholic processes in 2019. When we tasted those early versions, we loved it! And based on taste, we felt it was a good opportunity to make a beer for those that want a break from alcohol and/or are health conscious.

Besides visiting the taproom, how are customers finding out about your non-alcoholic offerings?

Kevin: NADA is widely distributed to retail, bars and restaurants. In addition, we market NADA fairly heavily. We are also seeing lots of consumers finding out about NADA through word of mouth, which is really awesome.

Now that these products have been available for a bit, how would you best describe the customers who purchase NADA brews?

Kevin: Consumers of NADA run the gamut. They range from folks who don’t drink at all, to those who drink N/A occasionally, to those just curious it a N/A beer can actually taste like beer. We sometimes see folks in our taproom drink a few beers, then buy NADA to-go.

You released Hop’d Water in Fall 2023. Is this your first hop water? And how does it differ from your NADA beverages?

Kevin: Hop’d Water is our first hop water. It is a hop-infused carbonated water. So, it is “beer-like” – but only in the hop flavor. Hop’d Water is a very refreshing option to those who want an N/A beverage, and stay within the craft beer universe.

Can customers expect any special events to highlight NADA brews? Something like a NADA pairing with selections from the Community Kitchen, or special mocktail menu?

Kevin: We do currently offer NADA in a mocktail – a michelada. And we’re playing with it in more. We have also added alot of mocktails that play off our Society Spirits line of vodka and tequila-based drinks. We have considered doing a mocktail dinner, but nothing is set in stone right now.

Speaking of mocktails, any possibility of an N/A spirit in your new Society Spirits product line?

Kevin: We’ve also considered Society Spirits N/A versions. But no real plans in place right now.